Free Practice Questions for CDEI
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Key Facts: CDEI Exam
150
Total Items
AAPC
4 hrs
Exam Time
AAPC
70%
Passing Score
AAPC
31
PCS Root Operations
Medical/Surgical section
The AAPC CDEI (Certified Documentation Expert Inpatient) consists of 150 MCQ items over 4 hours with 70% passing. Master ICD-10-CM PDX selection, ICD-10-PCS root operations, MS-DRG/APR-DRG, CC/MCC capture, and AHIMA/ACDIS query best practices.
Sample CDEI Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CDEI exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Per UHDDS guidelines, the principal diagnosis is defined as the condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for what?
2A patient is admitted with pneumonia and develops a urinary tract infection on day three of the inpatient stay. What is the correct POA indicator for the UTI?
3Which ICD-10-CM code reports severe sepsis without septic shock?
4A patient is admitted with sepsis due to E. coli that progresses to septic shock with acute kidney injury. Which combination correctly captures the severe sepsis with shock?
5Which code reports acute kidney failure, unspecified?
6A patient with documented witnessed aspiration of gastric contents is later treated for resulting pneumonia. Which ICD-10-CM code captures aspiration pneumonia?
7Which ICD-10-CM code reports metabolic encephalopathy?
8A patient is admitted with acute systolic congestive heart failure. Which ICD-10-CM code is reported?
9Which code reports acute on chronic combined systolic and diastolic heart failure?
10Which ICD-10-CM code reports a STEMI of the anterior wall involving the left anterior descending coronary artery?
About the CDEI Exam
AAPC credential for inpatient Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) specialists. Validates expertise in ICD-10-CM principal diagnosis selection (UHDDS), ICD-10-PCS procedure coding (7-character structure, 31 root operations), MS-DRG and APR-DRG assignment, CC/MCC capture and severity of illness, AHIMA/ACDIS-compliant provider queries, and inpatient compliance/audit risks (HACs, two-midnight rule, OIG focus areas).
Exam sponsor: AAPC. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
150 questions
Time Limit
4 hours
Passing Score
70%
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Official sources
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
ICD-10-CM Inpatient Diagnosis Coding
PDX selection (UHDDS), POA indicators, sepsis, AKI, encephalopathy, heart failure, MI, CKD
ICD-10-PCS Procedure Coding
7-character structure, 31 root operations, Excision vs Resection vs Destruction, Bypass vs Reposition
MS-DRG / APR-DRG Assignment
MDC selection, base DRG, CC/MCC modifiers, relative weight, CMI, APR-DRG SOI/ROM
CC/MCC Capture and Severity of Illness
Sepsis MCC, AKI CC, encephalopathy MCC, severe PCM MCC, clinical indicators
CDI Process and Provider Query
AHIMA/ACDIS practice brief, non-leading queries, concurrent vs retrospective
Compliance and Audit
OIG audit work plan, MAC/RAC reviews, two-midnight rule, HACs, HRRP penalties, SEP-1
Preparing for the CDEI Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam length: 150 questions
- Time limit: 4 hours
- Exam / certification fees: Per AAPC Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
CDEI: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between CDEI and CDEO?
CDEI is for INPATIENT CDI — hospital admissions, ICD-10-CM PDX, ICD-10-PCS procedures, MS-DRG and APR-DRG assignment. CDEO is for OUTPATIENT CDI — physician office, hospital outpatient, ASC, with HCC risk adjustment focus. Both are AAPC credentials.
What ICD-10-PCS knowledge is essential?
Master the 7-character structure (section, body system, root operation, body part, approach, device, qualifier) and the 31 root operations in Medical and Surgical, especially distinguishing Excision (portion) vs Resection (entire body part), Bypass vs Reposition, Replacement vs Insertion. Common procedures: CABG, hysterectomy, knee replacement, mechanical ventilation.
What is the difference between MS-DRG and APR-DRG?
MS-DRG (Medicare Severity DRG) drives Medicare inpatient payment: principal Dx → MDC → base DRG → CC/MCC modifies → final DRG. APR-DRG (All Patient Refined DRG) is used by Medicaid and quality measurement; it has 4 levels of Severity of Illness (SOI) and 4 levels of Risk of Mortality (ROM) driven by all secondary diagnoses.